Royals defenceman Verhoeff named WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Victoria Royals defenceman Keaton Verhoeff has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending September 22, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

The rookie defenceman led all blueliners with three goals and added an assist to go along with a +6 rating as the Royals went 1-0-1-0 over the season-opening weekend.

Verhoeff kicked off the season in dramatic fashion in a 4-3 overtime win against the visiting Tri-City Americans on Friday. With Tri-City leading 4-3 late in the final frame, Verhoeff leveled the match by rifling a wrist shot top shelf from the faceoff dot. The impressive far-side strike stands as the 16-year-old’s first WHL goal. He came back for more in overtime, evading his check and driving the net to propel Cole Reschny’s shot across the goal line and the Royals into the win column.

The 6-foot-4, 212-pound defender proved his knack for big-time moments wasn’t a one-time thing the following night in a rematch against the Americans. With the teams level with two goals apiece in the third period, Verhoeff snagged his first assist of the campaign on Escalus Burlock’s go-ahead goal. A pair of quick lamp-lighters would vault the Americans back on top again, but Verhoeff would force overtime for a second-straight night by wiring another shot through traffic and into twine. While the Americans would pick up the extra point in overtime, Verhoeff’s heroics secured a single point for the up-and-coming Royals.

Verhoeff, who was selected by the Royals with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, is eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., Verhoeff appeared in 12 games for Victoria in 2023-24, picking up a pair of assists and a +2 rating.

The Royals hit the road to face the Kelowna Rockets (0-1-0-0) at Prospera Place on Friday, September 27 at 7:05 p.m. PST.

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

-30-